|
Table of Contents
From the Desk of
Laura Crawford
From the Chairman of
the Board
Business to the
Rescue
Citizen of the Year
Announced!
New Enterprise Award
Announced!
Thank You!
From the
Desk of Laura Crawford...
The DG
Chamber of Commerce & Industry is an organization that
takes its leadership succession very seriously. This
year a terrific representation of the Membership spent
numerous hours pouring over statistics, reports and
applications and then conducting interviews to be able
to present a remarkable slate for Board of Directors,
reported in last month’s BizWord. Those selected
Members have very big shoes to fill.
At the
end of September, we will say goodbye to Keith
Hoffman, First Advantage Mortgage. He won’t
attend Board meetings anymore but I know that won’t keep
him from sharing his many creative ideas that make this
a better Chamber. Thank you Keith, for always keeping
the Chamber on the top of your mind.
Karen
Johnson, Midwestern University
has homes on opposite sides of the country yet always
found a way to participate with the Chamber and always
managed to bring calm and clarity to decision making
discussions. We hope you stay in touch Karen! Thank
you.
Lynn
Kristufek, Kristufek & Associates
is a very, very busy woman! Devoted to her flourishing
criminal law practice, Lynn always found a way to
support the Chamber. While not someone who seeks the
spotlight, she is a Member we can always depend on.
Thank you Lynn, don’t go far.
After
many years, Lisa Rasin, BMA & Associates is
ending her Board tenure. Lisa has played a leading role
in many of the changes over the last few years and
should be congratulated on her courage, foresight and
dedication. Thank you for all you’ve done Lisa!
A Board with term limits is a
healthy Board. Term limits allow for the status quo to
be challenged and opens up opportunities for new voices
to be heard. We will miss the leadership of Keith,
Karen, Lynn and Lisa, but we look forward to hearing the
new voices. Please join us on September 20th
at the Black & White Ball presented by D3 Financial
Counselors to honor the outgoing and recognize the
incoming Board as well as the Referral Group, Network
and Committee leadership.
lcrawford@downersgrove.org
630-968-4050 x14
back to top
From the
Chairman of the Board
It is with great pride that I share with you the new
Vision and Mission of the Downers Grove Area Chamber of
Commerce & Industry. It has been a long road as the
Board of Directors has engaged with you, the Members,
formed goals and action plans, and tested each element
of the strategic plan. As outgoing Chairman, I am
excited about the new direction the Chamber is taking
and know that our new leadership will bring this
organization to even higher levels of achievement. The
Chamber’s new Vision is:
To be recognized as the premier Chamber of Commerce &
Industry
in the State of Illinois.
This is a lofty and inspiring challenge. I hope that
you will join me in the efforts of the Board and staff
as we create more opportunities and garner more
recognition for the Chamber. The new Mission Statement
is:
The Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
will serve its community as the premier business
resource for its membership
by providing and protecting economic opportunity
essential to operating and growing a successful
enterprise.
As demonstrated by the new Enterprise Award, the Chamber
will continue to look for more ways to build business in
Downers Grove and the region. We will support our Member
businesses who go above and beyond to provide and
protect economic opportunities. In this challenging
economic time, it is important to recognize those
businesses that keep and expand the workforce of our
community as well as offer opportunities to visitors.
As the weeks continue, you will find the complete
strategic plan posted on downersgrove.org. I encourage
each of you to read it thoroughly and find ways that you
and your business can participate as we take the Chamber
into 2009 and beyond.
back to top
Business to the Rescue
By Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber
of Commerce
Business bashing has long been a favorite pastime by
many in the mainstream media. The business community has
its share of rotten apples like any other profession,
and the media are right to report on them, even if their
coverage is often sensationalized. But the media have a
responsibility to report both sides of every
story--something they fail to do with business. In fact,
they virtually ignore the enormous contributions
businesses of all sizes make to society every day.
As Hurricane Gustav and other recent natural disasters
remind us, business has done an outstanding job
responding to crises. When many people thought
government agencies dropped the ball during Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita, there was little dispute that the
outpouring of money, services, materials, and expertise
from the business community was swift and generous. In
response to these massive storms, U.S. businesses
pledged more than $1.2 billion in cash and in-kind
assistance, the largest documented corporate aid effort
in history.
During the aftermath of the horrendous tsunami that
struck southeast Asian countries in late 2004, the
business community donated more than $550 million in
cash and in-kind pledges and made a multiyear commitment
to help the impacted countries rebuild.
In all these instances, the U.S. Chamber's Business
Civic Leadership Center played a key role in educating
businesses on how to prepare for storms and mitigate
damage, assessing conditions on the ground, matching
business donors with impacted companies, and emphasizing
the need for long-term reconstruction efforts. While
state and federal governments play a strong, beneficial
role in responding to disasters, ultimately it's
businesses that do the hard work of rebuilding
communities, getting the economy on a sound footing, and
creating jobs and opportunities.
The business community's positive impact on society goes
far beyond disaster preparedness and relief, but you
would never know it from reading the newspapers.
Consider these facts: In 2007, 177 million Americans
received their health insurance from employment-based
coverage; companies spent $7.4 trillion on payroll and
$1.4 trillion on employee benefits in 2006; nearly 78%
of eligible employees participate in 401(k) plans and
rely on them for a secure retirement; and nearly all
innovation in products, services, and health care comes
from the private sector.
Educating the media about the positive role of business
in society is something we work at every day at the
Chamber. But if we want a more positive image of
business, each of us must spread the good word to our
friends, co-workers, and elected officials.
Originally published 9 September 2008. Reprinted by
permission, uschamber.com, September 2008.
Copyright©
2008, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
back to top
Citizen of the
Year Announced!
The
Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry is
thrilled to announce Marta Cullen as the Citizen of the
Year.
“We
are especially happy to present this prestigious award
to Marta. Her excellent work promoting the downtown and
her tireless support of Downers Grove non-profits sets
an outstanding example,” commented Laura Crawford,
President & CEO.
Marta
Cullen is President and Principal Designer of Dream
Interiors, Inc, a full service interior design firm. An
active member of the Chamber Events Committee, Marta
also serves on the Downers Grove Downtown Management
Board of Directors, and is Co-Chair for the new Downtown
Market as part of her role on the Board of Directors for
the Indian Boundary YMCA. She has served as past
Campaign Events Chairman for the Family Shelter Service
Capital Campaign and is a member of the Chicago
Southwest Suburban Chi Omega Alumnae.
The
Citizen of the Year Award will be awarded at the Black
& White Ball presented by D3 Financial Counselors on
September 20, 2008.
Past
recipients of the honor are people in our community who
have contributed their time, talents, and abilities to
the enrichment of Downers Grove. Past recipients
include: Florence Herrick, Philip Giancola, Pat and Jack
Winter, Wayne Guthrie, Frank Houch, Wally Lindaman,
Richard Hamlin, Florence and Robert Goold, Jim Stahl,
Jim Russ, Sr., Dr. Floyd Mizner, John Haine, Curt
McCullagh, F. Jan Kopis, Willis Johnson, Betty Cheever,
Grace and Gregg Beggs, Dave Humphreys, Tim McJoynt, Phil
Cullen, Liz Chalberg, Linda Kunze, Tom Sisul, Lisa Rasin,
Jim Russ, Jr., Marc Hausmann and last year’s recipient,
Dr. Gordon Goodman.
back to top
New Enterprise
Award Announced!
The
Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry is
very pleased to announce that David Fox, President of
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, will be honored with
the new Enterprise Award for building business and
community. Join us for the presentation at the Black
& White Ball presented by D3 Financial Counselors on
Saturday, September 20 at the Esplanade Lakes by
DoubleTree in Downers Grove.
The
Chamber’s Board of Directors created this exciting new
award to honor and celebrate an individual who is
employed by or owns a Member business and has
significantly impacted the community through personal
involvement, while actively providing and protecting
economic opportunity for the benefit of all.
“Dave’s leadership at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
has brought the organization a bevy of awards and
honors, significantly raised the quality of care, and
created job opportunities,” stated Laura Crawford,
President & CEO of the Chamber.
The
Hospital is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in DuPage
County, was ranked a Top 100 Heart Hospital in 2006, and
received in 2007 the Lincoln Foundation Silver Award.
David has been involved in the healthcare industry for
many years. His volunteer roles include: President,
Region 2B, Illinois Hospital Association for 2007-2008,
Illinois Provider Trust Board of Trustees, American
College of Healthcare Executives, State of Illinois
Perinatal Advisory Committee, and Downers Grove Economic
Development Corporation Board of Directors. However,
David believes in giving back to the community as well
by being Chair of the Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus Board
of Directors, Board Member of the Lincoln Foundation for
Performance Excellence, Board Member of Family Shelter
Service, and active with the American Heart Association
of Greater Chicagoland. He also supports the Young
Hearts for Life cardiac screening program by providing
cost-free testing for high school students.
back to top
Thank You!
Ballydoyle Irish Pub for
hosting the YPN Guest Bartending Night and Chris
Wrobel, American Sign Factory; Roger McGuire, Mid
American Mortgage; Paul Zalduendo, Z Group Financial
and MaryLou Savino, BeFit Physical Therapy and
Pilates for being our excellent guest bartenders!
College of DuPage for
hosting the Multi-Chamber Business After Hours.
Christopher Bennett, Winfree
Business Advisors for an engaging Business
Roundtable presentation on 'Kicking Your Sales Up a
Notch."
Thank to all our participants in
the Black & White Ball presented by D3 Financial
Counselors, especially:
|
Our Generous
Donors |
Our Wonderful
Sponsors |
Our Dedicated
Committee |
|
Aurelio's Pizza
Best Buy
Celebrity Dance Studio
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Botanic Garden
Chicago Cubs
Chicago Marriott Downers Grove
Chicago White Sox
Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn-Lombard
D3 Financial Counselors
DoubleTree Guest Suites &
Conference Center
Events by Tommy R's
Humidor
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Kane County Cougars
Modern Image Studios
The Morton Arboretum
Nuage Jewelers
Redstone American Grill
Sara Lee Corporation
See's Candies
Southwest Airlines
Sundance Vacations
The Center for Well-Being
Tivoli Bowl
Tivoli Theater
West Suburban Bank
Whitney, Inc.
Zed451 |
Advotek, Inc.
Advocate Good Samaritan
Hospital
AT&T
Best Buy
DoubleTree Guest Suites &
Conference Center
Downers Grove Reporter
IHM Remodeling Repair Contractors
Kristufek & Associates
Magnetrol International
MG Computer, Inc.
Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts
Sara Lee Corporation
ScotPress Printing
Sound Check Entertainment
True Productions
Trust Company of Illinois
Village of Downers Grove
|
Alison Clemens,
Clemens Mailing Service
Becky Connery,
D3 Financial Counselors
Lisa Cosgrove,
DoubleTree Guest Suites & Conference Center
Marta Cullen,
Dream Interiors
Ann Garvey, Celebrity
Dance Studio
Mary Kureja,
West Suburban Bank
Bob LaMantia,
Celebrity Dance Studios
James McJoynt,
Scot-Press Printing
Mark Samel,
Sound Check Entertainment
Heather Winter
Sobecki, Elmhurst College
Tommie Van,
Chicago Marriott Suites Downers Grove
|
back to top |
